USA > Massachusetts > Franklin County > Orange > Town annual report of the officers of Orange, Massachusetts 1932 > Part 3
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Public Drinking Fountain 23 65
Memorial Day Expense 28 66
Town Reports . 2 00
Total
$154 31
ART. 3. To see if the Town will vote to discontinue further work on the well at the pumping station and transfer the balance of $869.75 to the Welfare account.
VOTED: No.
ART. 4. To see if the Town will vote to transfer $2,000 from the Water Department to the Welfare account.
VOTED: That the Town transfer $2,000 of the unexpended balance from the Water Department appropriation to the Welfare account.
38
ART. 5. To see if the Town will approve the temporary elimination of certain street lights throughout the Town as a measure of economy. VOTED: No.
Meeting adjourned at 8.30 P. M.
A true record of the proceedings.
ROBERT H. ANDERSON, Town Clerk. Attest:
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Record of Votes Cast at the National and State Election, November 8, 1932
At a legal meeting of the inhabitants of the Town of Orange, qualified to vote in elections and in Town affairs, held in the Town Hall, Tuesday, November 8, 1932, at 6.00 o'clock in the forenoon, it was voted as follows:
Polls opened at 6.00 A. M.
Polls closed at 7.00 P. M.
Total number of votes cast
2278,
Electors of President and Vice-President Foster and Ford, Communist Party Two 2
Hoover and Curtis, Republican Party
Eighteen hundred and three 1803.
Reynolds and Aiken, Socialist Party
Two
2.
Roosevelt and Garner, Democratic Party
Four hundred and six
406
Thomas and Maurer, Socialist Party
Thirty
30
Upshaw and Regan, Prohibition Party
One
1
34
Blanks
Thirty-four 1 - -2278
Governor
John J. Ballam, Communist Party None 0
Joseph B. Ely, Democratic Party
Four hundred thirty-seven
437
Alfred Baker Lewis, Socialist Party
Twenty-seven
27
Charles S. Oram, Socialist Labor Party
Four
4
William Sterling Youngman, Republican Party
Seventeen hundred twenty-
five
1725
Blanks
Eighty-five 85
-2278
40
Lieutenant-Governor
Gaspar G. Bacon, Republican Party Seventeen hundred fifty 1750
Morris I. Becker, Socialist Labor Party
Five
5
James W. Dawson, Communist Party
One
1
Walter S. Hutchins, Socialist Party
Thirty-two 32
John E. Swift, Democratic Party
Three hundred fifty 350
Blanks
One hundred forty 140
-2278
Secretary of the Commonwealth
John F. Buckley, Democratic Party
Three hundred twenty
320
Frederick W. Cook, Republican Party
Seventeen hundred fifty- three 1753
Albert S. Coolidge, Socialist Party Twenty-nine 29
Max Lerner, Communist Party Three 3
Albert L. Waterman, Socialist Labor Party Three 3
Blanks
One hundred seventy
170
2278
Treasurer and Receiver General
Domenico A. Digirolamo, Socialist Labor Party Five 5
Eva Hoffman, Communist Party Six
6
Charles F. Hurley, Democratic Party
Three hundred eighty-four 384
Francis Prescott, Republican Party
Sixteen hundred eighty-two 1682
Glen Trimble, Socialist Party
Twenty-four
24
Blanks
One hundred seventy-seven
177
-2278
Auditor of the Commonwealth Jule Babbitt, Communist Party Two 2
Daniel T. Blessington, Socialist Labor Party Four 4
Alonzo A. Cook, Republican Party
Sixteen hundred seventy-
three
1673
41
David A. Eisenberg, Socialist Party
Twenty-seven 27
Francis X. Hurley, Democratic Party
Blanks
Three hundred fifty-seven
357
Two hundred fifteen
215
-2278
Attorney General
John P. Buckley, Democratic Party Three hundred ten 310
Maria C. Correia, Communist Party
One
1
Fred E. Oelcher, Socialist Party Five
5
George E. Roewer, Socialist Party
Twenty-three
23
William R. Scharton, Independent Party
Five
5
Joseph E. Warner, Republican Party
Seventeen hundred thirty-
nine
1739
Blanks
One hundred ninety-five
195
-2278
Congressman: First District
Thomas F. Cassidy, Democratic Party
Three hundred seventeen
317
Allen T. Treadway, Republican Party
Seventeen hundred twenty-
six
1726
Paul C. Wicks, Socialist Party
Thirty-four
34
Blanks
Two hundred one
201
-2278
Councillor: Eighth District
J. Arthur Baker, Republican Party
Sixteen hundred seventy-
seven
1677
James P. Mahoney, Democratic Party
Three hundred fifteen
315
Blanks
Two hundred eighty-six
286
-2278
Senator: Franklin and Hampshire District Albert C. Bray, Republican Party
Sixteen hundred forty-four 1644
42
James B. Kennedy, Democratic Party
Four hundred five 405
Blanks
Two hundred twenty-nine 229
-2278
Representative in General Court: Third Franklin District James A. Gunn, Republican Party
Eighteen hundred thirteen
1813
Fred Bouet One 1
Blanks Four hundred sixty-four 464
2278
County Commissioners: Franklin County (To elect two) William B. Avery, Republican Party
Fifteen hundred thirteen 1513
Allen C. Burnham, Republican Party
Twelve hundred seventy- nine 1279
Charles Holmes
Two
2
Walter Bray
One
1
Blanks
Seventeen hundred sixty-one 1761
--- 4556
Sheriff: Franklin County
Fred W. Doane, Republican Party
Eighteen hundred fifty
1850
Blanks
Four hundred twenty-eight
428
-2278
To vote "yes" or "no" on Question No. 1
QUESTION NO. 1
LAW PROPOSED BY INITIATIVE PETITION
Shall the proposed law which defines and legalizes the practice of chiro- practics; establishes a board of registration of chiropractors and defines the number, mode of appointment, tenure, qualifications and compensation of its members, and its powers and duties; provides for the preliminary qualifications, examination, certification, original registration and annual license of chiropractors and regulation of their practice, and defines the mode, subjects of and fees for examination, the mode of practice and penalties; and other matters related thereto, which are chiefly as follows: 1
That chiropractic be "the science or practice of locating and adjusting by hand the malpositions of the articulations of the human spine."
43
That any person with one preceeding year's residence in this Common- wealth and with degree from a qualified chiropractic school received at least one year prior to the date when this law takes effect, may, within ninety days after such date, be certified by the board at its discretion without examination.
That otherwise no person, except a member of the board of registration, shall practice chiropractic unless, being over twenty-one years of age, of good moral character and graduated from a reputable chiropractic school after personally attending courses of at least twenty-two hundred sixty-minute daylight hours given to persons qualified to graduate from a public high school, he shall qualify by examination, pay a fee of twenty-five dollars and be registered and certified; except that any person licensed in another State maintaining standards equal to those of this Commonwealth may be register- ed without examination.
That the examination be scientific and practical in character, in subjects including anatomy, physiology, symptomatology, chiropractic analysis, and the principles and practice of chiropractic.
That the board may, after hearing, revoke a certificate for cause.
That the board shall make an annual report and shall keep public records of its proceedings and of the names of persons examined or registered by it and of the names and addresses of all registered chiropractors, who shall pay an annual license fee, promptly notify the board of any change in address and furnish such other information as the board may require.
That the board consist of three members, residents of the Common- wealth for three years, graduates of a chartered chiropractic school having power to confer degrees in chiropractic, to be appointed by the governor, with the advice and consent of the council, for a term of three years.
That the board have authority to administer oaths, summon witnesses and take testimony and adopt reasonable rules and regulations pertaining to their duties, and that they pay into the state treasury fees received by them, and that they receive compensation and reimbursement for expenses in such amounts as may be annually appropriated therefor not exceeding the amount of such fees.
Penalties are provided for practicing chiropractic without holding a certificate or for using the Words "Chiropractic Practitioner," the letters "D. C.," or any title or letters indicating engagement in such practice, or for buying, selling or fraudulently obtaining any diploma or record of registra- tion.
It is further provided that the present law relating to the registration of physicians and surgeons and providing penalties for the unauthorized practice of medicine shall not be held to discriminate against registered chiropractors; but no chiropractor, unless registered as a physician or surgeon may practice obstetrics, or administer drugs, or surgical operations by the use of instruments, or hold himself out as and for other than a chiro-
44
practor, which was disapproved in the House of Representatives by a vote of 50 in the affirmative and 151 in the negative and in the Senate by a vote of 13 in the affirmative and 21 in the negative, be approved?
VOTED: Yes
Ten hundred twenty-eight 1028
No Four hundred eighty-six 486
Blanks
Seven hundred sixty-four 764
-2278
To vote "yes" or "no" on Question No. 2
QUESTION NO. 2
LAW PROPOSED BY INITIATIVE PETITION
Shall the proposed law which provides for an additional method of nom- inating candidates for nomination, at the State Primaries in September, by members of political parties, for those offices to be filled by all the voters of the Commonwealth at a State Election.
It provides that the State Conventions of the political parties, in each State Election year, shall be held before and not after the State Primaries, as now, namely, not later than June 14. In order to elect delegates to such party conventions, party primaries are established to be held on the last Tuesday in April.
Among other things, these state conventions may endorse candidates for office to be filled by all the voters and to be voted upon at the state primaries. Such endorsement places a candidate in nomination, at such state primaries, without the necessity of filing nomination papers. The name of the endorsed candidate is to be placed first on the ballot and against his name is to be placed the words "Endorsed by (the name of political party) con- vention" in addition to the eight-word statement now authorized by law. Candidates endorsed by a party convention may accept said endorsement within ten days, and having so accepted may not withdraw.
It also provides for the election of district members of state committees and members of ward and town committees at the proposed party primaries in April, as well as delegates to the state party conventions, instead of at the state primaries in September, as now.
It also provides for the election of delegates to national conventions (to nominate candidates for President) at the proposed party primaries instead of at the primaries, now specially held for that purpose, and which existing law requires to be held on the last Tuesday in April (the same day proposed for the proposed party primaries).
It also provides for certain other new provisions of law and certain changes in existing laws, relating to holding state conventions and party primaries, the number and election of delegates to state conventions, the
45
number of members at large of a state committee, and other matters which in more detail chiefly are as follows:
State conventions are to be composed solely of delegates elected at the party primaries, and the number is to be one from each ward and town and one additional for every fifteen hundred votes or major fraction thereof above the first fifteen hundred votes cast at the preceding state election in such ward or town for the political party candidate for Governor, instead of a number now fixed by the state committee of each party (not less than one from each ward or town) and certain members designated by existing law.
The time, for notice to the State Secretary by aldermen or selectmen of their determination to hold primaries by wards, precincts or groups of precincts, to be March 1, instead of August 1, as now.
The names of candidates for election for delegates to a state convention and for district members of a state committee to be arranged individually by alphabet instead of in groups arranged by lot, as now.
Vacancies in the office of delegate to a state or national convention not to be filled except in case of a tie vote, and then by delegates from the same district, within ten days, and if no other delegate or if not so filled, then by a state committee, rather than solely by the remaining members of the delegation; and statement of filling of such vacancy to be filed with the State Secretary.
Seating of delegates at state conventions to be in fours by senatorial districts, and order of business at said conventions defined.
Voting on candidates, by a convention, to be by roll call, if more than one candidate for the office, or by groups of delegates unless any member of such group objects.
The number of members at large of a state committee of a political party to be fixed by the state convention of a party instead of by the state com- mittee, as now.
The existing provisions as to preparation and filing of nomination papers, objection to nominations, preparation, number, substance, arrange- ment and form of ballots, hours during which polls shall be open, opening of ballot boxes, canvass and return of votes, return and certification of votes, now applicable to state primaries, to be applicable to the proposed party primaries.
The power of a state committee to fix the number of district delegates to a national convention to be continued, but the date, of giving notice to the State Secretary, of such fixation to be March 1 instead of August 1, as now, which was approved in the Senate by a vote of 21 in the affirmative and 17 in the negative and was disapproved in the House of Representatives by a vote of 62 in the affirmative and 138 in the negative, be approved?
VOTED Yes
Seven hundred thirty-nine 739
No
Two hundred seventy-two 272
Blanks
Twelve hundred sixty-seven 1267
-2278
46
To vote "yes" or "no" on Question No. 3 QUESTION NO. 3
PROPOSED AMENDMENT TO THE CONSTITUTION OF THE UNITED STATES
Is it desirable that the proposed amendment to the Constitution of the United States :-
"ARTICLE-
"SECTION 1. The terms of the President and Vice-President shall end at noon on the 20th day of January, and the terms of Senators and Representatives at noon on the 3d day of January, of the years in which such terms would have ended if this article had not been ratified; and the terms of their successors shall then begin.
"SEC. 2. The Congress shall assemble at least once in every year, and such meeting shall begin at noon on the 3d day of January, unless they shall by law appoint a different day.
"SEC. 3. If, at the time fixed for the beginning of the term of the President, the President-elect shall have died, the Vice-President-elect shall become President. If a President shall not have been chosen before the time fixed for the beginning of his term or if the President-elect shall have failed to qualify, then the Vice-President-elect shall act as President until a President shall have qualified; and the Congress may by law provide for the case wherein neither a President-elect nor a Vice-President-elect shall have qualified, declaring who shall then act as President, or the manner in which one who is to act shall be selected, and such person shall act accordingly until a President or Vice-President shall have qualified.
"SEC. 4. The Congress may by law provide for the case of the death of any of the persons from whom the House of Representatives may choose a President whenever the right of choice shall have devolved upon them, and for the case of the death of any of the persons from whom the Senate may choose a Vice-President whenever the right of choice shall have devolved upon them.
"SEC. 5. Sections 1 and 2 shall take effect on the 15th day of October following the ratification of this article.
"SEC. 6. This article shall be inoperative unless it shall have been ratified as an amendment to the Constitution by the legislatures of three- fourths of the several States within seven years from the date of its submis- sion,"-be ratified by the General Court?
VOTED: Yes
Nine hundred eighty-nine 989
No
One hundred ninety 190
Blanks Ten hundred ninety-nine 1099
-2278
A true copy of the record of the votes cast
Attest:
ROBERT H. ANDERSON, Town Clerk.
47
Report of Board of Selectmen
The Town of Orange, in common with many cities and towns, is still facing many grave problems. Continued unemployment, with no imme- diate prospect of relief, indicate a continuance of heavy taxes in spite of the most careful management of town affairs. Such a condition bears heavily, seemingly unjustifiably so, on the property owner in contrast to the non- property owning poll tax payer. It is a condition that demands the best thought the citizens of the town can give. Surely this depression has shown the need for long-term, careful planning and able management of municipal, state and federal governments.
A detailed review of the work accomplished in 1932 will be found in the report of the Town Manager which we suggest is worthy of your attention.
All communities are giving sober thought today to an analysis of the essential services that a town should offer its people. We must have a clear analysis of this in making our appropriations in order that we may provide as many of the essentials as is humanly possible to offer, but under condi- tions existing today expense for only such services must be considered.
In reviewing these essentials it seems logical that health is of first consideration. This includes the usual expense in the Health Department, and also the cost of welfare aid, old age assistance, soldiers' relief and similar items, for surely directly and indirectly these affect the health of the com- munity. These items constitute the largest division of the town's expense. If unemployment continues these items will increase. The problem is a serious one and should be handled only by those of experience and training in the work.
Education might be considered the next most essential service offered by a town. The expenses of conducting our schools have been decreased materially during the past several years. In such times as these we have more pupils in school than in times of less unemployment. Therefore the problem of the school authorities becomes more difficult. There is a neces- sity for them to operate the schools with the greatest possible economy which we believe they are prepared to do. No one will deny that the children in school today have the right to receive as good educational opportunities as those of yesterday.
Perhaps the next most important service is the protection of persons and property. We are aware of the increase in crime due, doubtless, to the prolonged depression. The faithful and able service of our Police Department commands the confidence of our citizens. A way should be found, we believe, to have a third officer in training for police work.
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In the matter of fire protection, Orange has a good record by reason of a capable Fire Department. In many cases the effectiveness of the Fire Department depends upon the water supply. While Orange is favored with exceptionally pure water, its supply is somewhat limited and in the future further extension should be made.
In this connection we believe the well which was dug last year may prove of distinct benefit to the town in years to come. The opening of this well indicates a method of adding further to the water supply in a more economical way than to open additional water areas farther back on Chestnut Hill.
Other departments, although less spectacular, are a very essential part of the town's organization. The cemeteries and parks have been well maintained in an economical manner. The circulation of the library is the best evidence of the fact that this service that the town offers is used and appreciated.
Those receiving welfare aid have worked out their orders for groceries and rents mostly in the Public Works Department. A considerable pro- gram of graveling, widening and building roads, repairing fences, construct- ing gutters and building bridges has been carried out. We have felt that in this way the town received the greatest benefit from this labor.
Another very essential part of the organization of the town is the Busi- ness Department, so to speak. It involves the assessing of property, the collecting of taxes, water and cemetery bills, the classifying of expense charges and the accurate recording of the various town records, and doing all of this efficiently and in a manner satisfactory to the State. The consoli- dation of the departments under the Town Manager Form of Government and the centering of the clerical work of the various departments in the Town House, has we believe, been of distinct benefit to the town.
In addition to the expense that is required in providing the above essential service, there is the cost of interest upon borrowed money and the payments upon maturing debts that are definite yearly obligations which must be paid. Together with all this is the problem of the unpaid and overdue taxes. With practically no surplus, the town is obliged to carry notes in anticipation of tax revenue over from one year to another. How long this method can continue is problematical. It must be corrected by increased taxation, and yet taxes now seem to be creating more of a burden than can be carried.
In going over the town's expenses it truly seems as if non-essentials have been eliminated. Last year the Board of Selectmen, with the approval of the Finance Committee, determined that a 10 per cent reduction in wages and salaries of all town employees was necessary. It is apparent that further retrenchment is necessary and with the approval of the Finance Committee the Board is submitting a budget which contains suggestions for further adjustments over the budget for 1932. Salaries and wages paid throughout the town in 1932 are about the same as those paid in 1927, being
49
less than 1 per cent greater, indicating that the present form of government, opinions to the contrary notwithstanding, is not more expensive than the old form as regards salary and wages.
In making the budget for next year we realize the danger of injustices being accorded to faithful, conscientious employees whose work and respons- ibilities have increased by reason of the conditions of the time. Salaries and wages paid town employees are fair, not high, and in some cases are inade- quate for the service rendered. We know that all town employees appre- ciate the financial problems the town is facing. We feel confident they will do their bit, together with others in town, to overcome the many obstacles. We therefore, are making the suggestion to the Finance Committee that salaries and wages be left at the 1932 level, and that an article be inserted in the warrant which if passed, will allow the town to accept voluntary dona- tions from town employees, and from any other individuals or organizations, to apply directly to the Welfare Department. We believe town employees are willing to donate on some percentage bases which may be agreed upon.
The tremendous welfare cost is a burden for the entire community, which at the present time is being carried by the property owner. The non-property owning poll tax payer, entitled to receive benefit from the town in the way of aid, is bearing but little of this added expense that the property owner is called upon to assume. It is our hope that with this provision a way may be found to see if the non-property owning poll tax payer will be willing to make contributions to the Welfare Department to assist in this tremendous burden.
We desire to acknowledge the splendid co-operation of the various organ- izations in the welfare problem. Through the efforts of the Welfare Com- mittee of the Chamber of Commerce, the Morgan Memorial rooms have been maintained and used as a distributing point for clothing donated by the townspeople to those in need. A group of ladies under the direction of Mrs. Elmer Whitney have given invaluable service sewing on Red Cross garments. Orange has benefitted greatly through the receipt of flour and clothing from the American Red Cross. It may be that there are others whose assistance we should acknowledge. Suffice it to say that there has been a most helpful spirit shown throughout the town in caring for those in need, and for all those responsible for keeping this splendid spirit alive we express the appreciation of the townspeople.
In closing this report, may we express our appreciation for the hard work and loyal co-operation that has been accorded us so ably by the Town Manager, the various departments, boards and individual employees? We have sought to work for the best interests of Orange in trying out a new method of conducting the town's affairs-the Town Manager Form of Government. That it has been rejected is due, we believe, to circumstances
50
incidental to the condition of the times and not to any weakness in the form of government.
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